sales tax

American  

noun

1. a tax on receipts from sales, usually added to the selling price by the seller.

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sales tax British  

noun

1. a tax levied on retail sales receipts and added to selling prices by retailers

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Etymology

Origin of sales tax

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

The measure would impose a new half-cent sales tax countywide, with the proceeds going toward local hospitals and clinics hit by federal funding cuts.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026

County half-cent healthcare sales tax, declared victory Tuesday after days of steadily gaining ground as more ballots were counted.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026

Some city leaders had also dinged the county for misusing homelessness money generated from a previous sales tax and argued this new pot of dollars would be handled no better.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026

Voters have not rejected a sales tax hike in L.A.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026

Jesus—$18.95 P^us the 3 per cent sales tax which Tubs figured out would make a grand total of $19.52, the sales tax amounting to fifty-seven cents.

From "The Chocolate War" by Robert Cormier